5 Best Beaches in Chicago

Summers in Chicago can get pretty hot. What better to do than head to the beach! Luckily Chicago is right on Lake Michigan so there are plenty of options. With 28 miles of manmade lakefront shoreline and 24 beaches, Chicago beaches are a wonderful escape from the windy city. Check out this guide to the best beaches in Chicago!

1. Oak Street Beach

Conveniently located at the northern end of Michigan Avenue, Oak Street Beach is just a short walk from downtown Chicago! This popular beach is a great option for visitors who want to relax and cool off after a long day exploring the sights in downtown Chicago.

2. North Avenue Beach

Another favorite spot, North Avenue Beach features a beautiful skyline and expansive sands for tanning. Be sure to check out Castaways, a beach house shaped like a boat, for drinks and live music! If you’re in Chicago from August 20-21, make sure you catch the annual Air and Water show.

3. Foster Avenue Beach

As the most family friendly beach on this list, Foster Avenue Beach offers a less crowded space with very attentive lifeguards. The beach offers outdoor showers and a bike rental hut for a nice family bike ride on the boardwalk.

4. Ohio Street Beach

Located next to Navy Pier offers just a small sliver of beach, but is way less crowded than other beaches in the area making some days feel like you’re on your own private beach. Not to mention if you forget to pack a cooler, you can quickly walk over to Navy Pier for a quick snack.

5. Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is another great one for families. Located in the South Chicago neighborhood, Rainbow Beach is also connected to the Rainbow Beach Park. Pack a picnic and escape the hot sun for a midday lunch in the shaded park!

For three years, Alan traveled to 60+ countries as an international cost-of-living surveyor. Back in New York City, when he's not running, rock climbing or geeking out about UAV drones, Alan runs a marketing agency that helps companies generate more sales-ready leads using inbound marketing techniques.